Method and apparatus for cleaning and reconditioning of material containing cans



1314311128, 1970 J. M KENNEY WERLING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND RECONDITIONING OF MATERIAL CONTAINING CANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR. JOHN M. WERL/NG BY WM ATTORNEYS A ril 28, 1970 J. MCKENNEY WERLING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND RECONDI'IIONING OF MATERIAL CONTAINING CANS 5 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed Dec. 1, 1966 INVENTOR.

JOHN M. WERLING ATTORNEYS l 1970 J. M KENNEY WERLING 3,503,997

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND RECONDITIONING' OF MATERIAL CONTAINING CANS Filed Dec. 1, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 k INVENTOR.

x "'11! JOHN M. WERL/NG April 1970 J. M KENNEY WERLING 7 MEI HOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND RECONDITIONING OF MATERIAL CONTAINING oANs Filed Dec. 1, L966 5 Shects-$heet 4.

JOHN M. WERLINGA ATTORNEYS Avril 1970 J. M KENNEY WERLING 08,997

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND RECONDITIONING OF MATERIAL CONTAINING CANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Flied D80. 1, 1966 INVENTOR JOHN M WERL/NG AT TORNE KS United States Patent METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND RECONDITIONING OF MATERIAL CONTAIN- ING CANS John McKenney Werling, 2800 E. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo. 64127 Filed Dec. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 598,501 Int. Cl. B321) 35/00 US. Cl. 156389 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is in the salvaging of canned goods and the improving of the appearance of the containers whereby they are salable and includes a method and apparatus for the cleaning and reconditioning such material containing cans. The cans of goods are moved in a path from station to station that are selectively operated or allowed to remain inactive as is desirable in the reconditioning of the cans with the stations including a label cleaning station, a label removing station, a can cleaning station, a can painting station, a paint drying station, and a paint baking station, after which new labels are applied and the cans placed in cases and the cases sealed whereby they are then ready for movement to a store for sale. Different size cans may be processed, however, in any one operation, all of the cans should be of the same size and segregated as to contents for proper cleaning, labeling, and packaging. The cans are moved along the path and at the label cleaning, label removing, can cleaning, and can painting stations, the cans are stopped and are then rotated individually with the treated can being moved on and simultaneously another can being moved into position for treatment at the station.

When canned goods have the containers and labels damaged or soiled by handling, storage or other circumstances, as for example, smoke or Water damage from a fire, flood or the like, wherein only the appearance is damaged and the contained goods are undamaged, it is usually necessary to dispose of the improper appearing containers of goods by salvage sales at very low prices, even substantially below costs. In many instances the exposed metal portions may have rust or is discolored or otherwise of unsightly appearance wherein a customer would refuse to purchase same from a store shelf whereby the goods become unsalable even though the label and the goods in the can are both in good condition. This is also true where there is merely smoke damage wherein the label is discolored.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide handling and processing apparatus and sequence of method steps wherein canned goods are cleaned and restored to a salable appearance; to provide a method and apparatus wherein canned goods are moved in a defined path to a label cleaning station, label removing station, can cleaning station, can painting station, and drying station wherein each station in the path is selectively operable to act on the cans where the condition thereof indicates the necessity therefor; to provide such an apparatus that is substantially automatic in the can processing as the can moves to the respective stations; to provide such can cleaning wherein the cans may be selectively cleaned on the ends and/ or side surfaces by high pressure streams of cleaning particles or abrasive blast directed thereagainst, said streams being selectively moved to cover the desired extent of the area of the surfaces; to provide such a cleaning operation wherein the cans are rotated in each cleaning or painting station to assure uniform treatment; to provide such cleaning wherein the 3,508,997 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 apparatus is arranged substantially in a line and the cans move therealong in a substantially continuous operation with each can individually treated; and to provide a method and apparatus for restoring unsightly canned goods to salable condition that is easy to handle, efficient operation and with a minimum of moving parts.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the cleaning apparatus showing the sorter, label cleaning, and label removing stations.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the can surface cleaning section that is next following the sections of the process shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the apparatus showing the sections for painting, drying, and paint baking which follow the section of the process shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing the stations for labeling, casing, and case sealing of the cans, said stations following the stations shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the cleaning apparatus of the can surface cleaning station.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational View of the can rotating drive and air control for timing certain operations.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a nozzle mounting and oscillation member therefor.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a can and blast nozzles particularly showing the arc of travel of the streams of blast material impacting the can surfaces.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the control system for the cleaning apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the track and mounting defining the path of travel of cans to be cleaned.

FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view through the can supporting track.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a can lifter.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view through a modified form of a blast nozzle and can moving apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the modified form of nozzle and can moving apparatus shown in FIG. 13.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

While my process may be practiced in any convenient location and the apparatus may be mounted and arranged in any convenient manner at such location, it is preferred that the apparatus be disposed with a plurality of treating stations or positions wherein certain operations may be selectively performed on canned goods to restore the appearance of the cans. In the salvage operations, the canned goods may be in various states of soil or damage and while cans of different commodities may vary in size, a large number of cans of one commodity usually may be collected and processed in one batch with all receiving the same treatment and then other cans may be processed with the treatment varied in accordance with the needs for the desired reconditioning.

In the illustrated arrangement a plurality of cans 1 containing a commodity or the like are introduced into a hopper 2 of a sorter and arranger 3 which operates to discharge the cans 1 onto a path 4 with proper orientation for movement to the next process station 5. In the illustrated structure, process station 5 is for cleaning labels of the cans, as for example, when there is only 3 smoke damage or like soil that can be removed by propercleaning. The label cleaner station includes a boxlike chamber 6, having side walls 7, end walls 8 and 9, a top wall 10, and a hopper bottom 11. The chamber '6 is carried on spaced posts 12 to support same above a floor 13 or the like. The chamber 6 is provided with an entry opening 14 in the wall 8 and an exit opening 15 in the wall 9. U

The path 4 extends from the sorter 3 into the label cleaner station chamber and through succeeding stations as later described and may be a conveyor or other suitable means for moving the cans; however, in the illustrated structure, the path 4 consists of a track having spaced side rail members 16 supported in laterally spaced relation on transverse support members 17 arranged in the station or other suitable location for adequate support. The track is inclined whereby the cans will roll therealong by gravity, and have upstanding flanges or abutments 18 to limit endwise movement of the cans. In the structure illustrated, the rail members 16 are angle shape with each having one flange 19 mounted on the transverse support 17 with upstanding ribs or rod like members 20 at the inner ends of the flanges 19 and forming upstanding longitudinally extending rails adapted to be engaged by the sides 21 of the cans adjacent the ends 22 thereof. The other flanges of the angles are at the outer sides thereof forming the upstanding abutments 18. The support members 17 are preferably provided with slots 23 and the rails 16 have flanged brackets 24 secured thereto with fastening devices 25 on the brackets and extending through the slots 23 to secure the rails 16 in selected laterally spaced relation. The transverse support member 17 is arranged in longitudinally spaced relation along the path and suitably supported by station members or other supports (not shown) to provide adequate support and proper inclination for movement of the cans from one station to another.

A portion 26 of the track extends from the sorter 3 into the label cleaner chamber and another portion 27 extends from the interior of the chamber 6 through the discharge opening 15 to the next station 28 of the process. The track portions 26 and 27 have ends 29 and 29 inside of the chamber 6 in spaced apart relation and mounted in the chamber between said ends and arranged transversely of the track members are spaced apart rollers 30 and 31, the spacing being such that any of the cans to be processed when moved therebetween has portions resting on the rollers to be supported thereby. The rollers are rotatably mounted and suitably driven to turn a can resting thereon. A stop 32 is arranged adjacent the end 29 of the track portion 26 to stop any cans on the track prior to its movement between the rollers 30 and 31.

A transverse support 33 is arranged in the chamber above the rollers for mounting a label washing mechanism for applying a suitable washing liquid and wiping of the label. In the structure illustrated, a wiping member such as a sponge 34 is movably mounted to be engaged with a can as it is rotated by the rollers 30 and 31 and then retracted therefrom. A wash liquid hose or line 35 leading from a controlled detergent and water or other wash liquid source, is arranged adjacent to the wiper member for spraying the detergent or washing liquid on the side surface or label of the can. After the detergent is applied the sponge wipes the label clean and the can is ready to move on to the next processing station.

In the structure illustrated, the wiper member 34 and hose line 35 are carried on the lower end of a pneutmatic ram or other suitable extensible member 36, as for example, on the piston rod with the cylinder 37 suitably secured to the support 33. Surplus liquid drains to the hopper bottom and is discharged through a waste line 38. An ejector structure 39 is arranged in the chamber for moving a processed can upwardly over the roller 31 and into the track section or portion 27 and also move the next trailing can over the stop 32 whereby it moves over the roller 30- and is deposited between the rollers 30 and 31. The ejecting structure illustrated is in the form of an ejector head. or finger 40 on the end of a rod 41 of an extensible member, such a pneumatic ram having a cylinder 42 suitably mounted, as for example, on the bottom 11 and arranged at an angle Whereby the finger 40 moves upwardly adjacent the roller 30 to lift the can and roll same over the roller 31. An eX- tension 42 on the rod 41 extends toward the track portion 26 and has arcuate fingers 43 which engage the can stopped by the stop member 32 to force the can upwardly and over said stop simultaneously with the moving of the processed can from between the rollers 30 and 31 whereby with each extension of the ejector a processed can is discharged from the label cleaner station and another can is moved between the rollers 30 and 31 for cleaning of the label thereof.

In processing cans wherein the labels are torn, burned or otherwise damaged where cleaning is not suflicient, such cans would be proceesed in a group and moved along the track portion 26 to the label cleaner 5 but the extensible member 36 would remain deactivated and controls to the wash liquid turned oil, so that the wiping member would remain elevated and the cans would merely move into engagement with the rollers 30 and 31 and then be moved on in sequence by the ejector 39 with no treatment imparted to the cans in that station. The cans discharged from the label cleaner station 5 move along the track section 27 to the label removing station 28. It is preferred that the label removing station 28 have a housing 45 defining a chamber 46 wherein the housing and chamber are substantially the same as the structure of the housing forming the chamber 6 with the exception that the discharge opening 47 is normally closed by flexible door 48, the door being such that it is movable by a can on a track portion 49 for conveying cans to the next processing station 50 as said can rolls or otherwise is moved along the path defined by the track section '49.

The housing 45 includes a hopper bottom 51 with a screen 51' disposed thereabove and connected to a suitable vibrating mechanism 52 wherebythe screen is vibrated during the operation. The track sections 27 and 49 have ends 53 and 54 respectively, that are spaced apart with rollers 55 and 56 extending transversely of the line of the track and spaced apart to receive a can therebetween. The label removing section has an ejector 39 with an extension 42 and the track 27 has a stop 32, all of which is arranged, mounted, and operated in the same manner as the rollers 30 and 31, ejector 39 and extension 42 in station 5 of the apparatus whereby cans advance to the stop 32 in station 28 and on operation of the ejector 39 therein are moved upwardly to roll between the rollers 55 and 56 which rollers are suitably driven to rotate the can mounted thereon, and during the next operation of the ejector 39* the treated can is elevated and moved over the roller 56 onto the track 49 for movement through the discharge opening 47, opening the flap 48 as it passes therethrough. Simultaneously with the ejecting of a can the next can in the track section 27 moves between the rolls for treatment. In order to remove the label a high velocity stream of particles or abrasive blast is directed against the side of the can bearing the label as the can is rotated by the rollers 55 and 56. This structure includes a nozzle 57 connected to a suitable source of air pressure and particles to discharge a blast of particles from said nozzle. The nozzle is positioned directly above the can and is supported on an arm 58 that depends from a carriage 59 that is supported on guide rods 60 or ways that extend and are movable transversely of the housing 45. The carriage is connected to a suitable reciprocating mechanism that is adjustable in stroke whereby the blast nozzle is reciprocated on a line transversely of the track or path of the cans for a length as great as the label on the can being treated. It is preferred that the particles in the blast be glass beads, however, other forms of grit or abrasive particles may be used. The beads directed against the can label destroys the label whereby the label drops down onto the screen 51' with the beads passing therethrough. The lower end of the hopper bottom 51 is connected to a suitable duct 61 leading to a bead recovery system whereby the beads can be reused. The labels collect on the screen and periodically are removed therefrom. If the cans being processed have labels suitable for use, the labels are cleaned as described in the above in station 5 and then moved through station 28, but the blast is cut oft whereby the cans can pass through and merely are rolled and ejected in sequence with no treatment in station 28. If the labels must be removed, then the can is passed through station 5 without any treatment and are treated in station 28 to remove the labels. After the label removal, the cans move along the track 49 to the next station 50 which is a can cleaning station, as now to be described.

Station 50 is a can cleaning station which has a clean ing chamber 62 with end walls 63 and 64, a top wall 65, and a hopper bottom 66. The hopper bottom has a connection with a duct 67 communicating with the blast particle collecting apparatus (not shown). The track section 49 extends into the chamber 62 and terminates in an end 66 in spaced relation to inlet end 67 of a track section 68 for conveying cleaned cans from the cleaning position which is located between the ends 66 and 67 of the track. At the cleaning position between the ends of the tracks there are spaced rollers 69 and 70 that extend transversely of the tracks, said rollers substantially corresponding in position and operation as the rollers 30 and 31 in the label cleaner station 'with the rollers driven by suitable means (not shown) to rotate the can positioned thereon during the cleaning period. The cleaning station also has an ejector 39 with an extension 42 that operate to eject cans from the cleaning position and move the next succeeding can to the cleaning position in the same manner as described relative to the ejector and advancing mechanism in the label cleaner station 5.

While the cans are positioned in the cleaning position on the rollers 69 and 70, high velocity streams of particles such as glass beads are directed against the ends of the cans to remove rust or soil therefrom without damaging the labels if the labels have been left on and cleaned. If the labels have been removed, then the blast also is directed against the sides of the cans to clean same. The streams of particles are moved in selected arcs or distances to direct the cleaning blast over all of the surfaces of the can desired to be cleaned. The particular mounting and moving means for the blast stream being later described.

The cleaning station includes an entry extension to the chamber 62, the extension consisting primarily of a tunnel like structure having a top wall 71, bottom wall 72, and side walls 73, all connected with the walls of the chamber to define an opening 74, through which the track section 49 extends. The extension or tunnel has an end wall 75 with an entry opening 76 therein. Also, adjacent the end wall the tunnel is enlarged upwardly as at 77 to provide an enlarged area, all arranged whereby the length of the tunnel from the entry opening 76 to the cleaning position is such that escape of particles through the entry opening is substantially eliminated. Some particles will move into the tunnel and an endless sweep 77 engages the bottom 72 and is operated to sweep any particles from the bottom of the tunnel back into the hopper bottom 66. The sweep consists of endless chains 78 operating over sprocket wheels 79 and provided with a plurality of flexible transversely extending blades 80 which resiliently engage the bottom to ,sweep the particles therealong to the hopper bottom. The sweep sprocket 79 is suitably driven by power means not shown.

When the cans are moved by gravity as in the illustrated structure, it is desirable to elevate the cans to a higher position for further rolling down inclined tracks, and while such elevating can be performed at any desired position, the elevator is shown in an extension from the exit side of the chamber 62. The exit extension 81 has a generally tunnel arrangement having a top wall 82, bottom wall 83, end wall 84, and side walls 85. A sweep 86 constructed and operated substantially the same as the sweep 77 is arranged to engage the bottom 83 and sweep the blast particles therefrom back to the hopper bottom 66. The track section 68 extends into the tunnel portion and terminates as at 87 in a position to discharge cans onto an elevator 88 which preferably is of a flight type having an endless member 89 operating over sprocket wheels 90 with transversely extending flight members or bars 91 to engage cans and move same up the inclined path of the elevator to a discharge opening 92 where the cans are discharged onto a track section 93 for movement to the next processing section. Track section 68 extends through a tunnel portion 94 having a flexible door like member 95 normally closing the opening thereto and being arranged whereby cans moving down the track section 68 swing the flexible door upwardly and pass therethrough with the door swinging down to again close the tunnel opening thereby aiding in retaining the blast particles or glass beads in the cleaning chamber 62.

The drive for the rollers 69 and 70 of the cleaning station is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive being the same for the rollers in the label cleaning station 5 and the label removing station 28. In the drive the rollers have shafts 96 and 97 mounted in bearing members 98 in the side walls with the outer ends of the shafts having pulleys 99 and 100 thereon. A driving member or belt 101 operates over the pulleys to drive same and also extends over a belt tightner pulley 102 of conventional structure to maintain the belt tight. A second drive pulley 103 is mounted on the shaft 97 and is driven by a belt 104 that operates over a pulley 105 driven by. a motor 106. The motor also drives a pulley 107 which through a belt 108 drives a pulley 109 of a speed reducer mechanism 110 for turning a cam 111 which actuates a control member 112 as later described. This drive as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is substantially the same for all of the rollers for rotating the cans while being treated in each of the stations, including the label cleaning section 5, label removing station 28, can cleaning station 50, and a can painting station 113, later to be described. Also, the pathway 4 formed by the track sections extend into the respective treating stations and are preferably supported in the same manner whereby the tracks are adjustably supported on transverse members 17 in the respective chambers and the lateral spacing of the tracks may be adjusted for different height cans.

In the can cleaning section there are nozzles 114 for directing a stream of particles at high velocity on the side surfaces of the can as the can is rotated and also nozzles 115 and 116 for directing high velocity streams of particles against the end surfaces of the cans. The mounting of the nozzle 114 and its movement is the same as that of the nozzle 57 in the label removing section 28 and, therefore, like numerals will be used to designate the parts. The nozzle 114 is carried on an arm 58 of a mobile carriage 59 laterally mounted on ways or rods 60 that extend transversely of the chambers. The nozzle 114 is connected to a suitable source of air pressure and particles having a means for control whereby the blast can be selectively applied to the cans and when utilized it is preferred the particles be glass beads in order to remove rust and other soil from the cans and leave a smooth surface. The nozzles 115 and 116 are also connected to the source of supply of the particles and air pressure with controls for selectively applying the blast to the can ends.

The nozzles 115 and 116 are each pivotally mounted as at 117 on respective arms 118 that are movable on respective bracket members 119 adjustably carried by clamp members 120 that have one end secured to a cross member 17 by suitable fastening devices 121. The nozzles have fixed thereon an arm 122 engaged by a reciprocating member 123 whereby reciprocation of the member 123 will swing the nozzle in a predetermined arc and the glass beads are directed onto only the end surfaces of the can effectively cleaning same but not extending beyond the edge so that when cans with labels that have been cleaned are moved through the can cleaning station rust or soil can be removed from the can ends without disturbing the label.

The reciprocating member 123 for each nozzle is carried on respective rods 124 slideably mounted in sleeves 125 that extend through the walls 63 and 64 of the chamber. In the same manner the Ways or rods 60 extend through sleeves 126 whereby the rods 60 are movable transversely of the chamber to reciprocate the blasting nozzle carried thereby. The mechanism for effecting the reciprocation and the adjustment of the stroke or extent of movement is the same for the rods '60 as for the rods 124. The rods 124 each have one end connected to the head 127 which is carried on an end of a piston rod 128 of a pneumatic cylinder 129. Air is supplied through a line 130 to a valve 131 which alternately supplies air to the opposite ends of the cylinder 129. The stroke of the piston and thereby the amount of movement of the reciprocating member actuated thereby is controlled by adjustable abutments 132 and 133 carried by the head 127. As air is supplied to the cylinder 129 to move the piston toward the chamber 62, the abutment 132 engages a pilot valve 134 that allows air to escape from the valve 131 through a line 135 and this etfects reversal of the position of the valve whereby air is then directed through a duct 136 to the other end of the cylinder to reverse the movement of the piston until the abutment 133 engages a pilot valve 137 to bleed air and allow the valve 131 to again reverse and thereby reverse the direction of the piston. The rods 60 are connected to a head 138 that is reciprocated by a cylinder and piston assembly 139, the movement being limited by abutment members 140 and 141 acting on valve members in the same manner as the structure effecting reciprocation of the rods 124. The length of movement of the respective nozzle 114 and the blast therefrom is regulated by adjustment of the abutments 132 and 133 whereby the blast is on the portion of the can desired to be treated. In like manner the arc of travel of nozzles 115 and 116 is regulated by adjustment of the abutments 140 and 141 so the blasts are within the area of the can ends.

The can to be cleaned moves into position on the rollers 69 and 70 and it is rotated and blasts selectively directed on the can ends and on the can sides if necessary for a period predetermined to be desirable for adequate can cleaning. This time is determined by the cam 111 as each time the cam lobe actuates the valve 112 air is supplied to the cylinders of the ejectors 39 in each of the treating sections whereby the ejector piston cylinder structure is extended to lift the can being treated and move same to the discharge tracks and at the same time move another can into position on the rollers. In each action where the ejector structure is extended it is automatically retracted to be in a position to eject the next can. As the cans move from the cleaning chamber they are elevated on the conveyor 88 and discharged on the track section 93. As the cans move through the discharge opening 92, air from air nozzle 142 is directed onto the rolling cans to blow any dust from the can surfaces.

The track section 93 extends through an opening 143 in a wall 144 of the can painting station 113. This section has a housing defining the chamber 145 which is defined by the wall 144 and opposed wall 146, a top wall 147, bottom wall 148 and side walls 149. The track section 93 extends into the chamber and has an end portion supported by a transverse member 17. The end of the track being spaced from an end of a discharge track 150 with transversely extending rollers 151 and 152 that are mounted and driven substantially in the same manner as the rollers 69 and 70 in the can cleaning section. The track 93 also has a stop to stop forward movement of the cans thereon with an ejector structure 39 mounted in the section below the track and operable to eject a can from between the rollers onto the discharge track 150 and simultaneously move the next can over the stop and onto the rollers. As the cans are turned by the rollers 151 and 152, paint is sprayed on the end surfaces by nozzles 153 supplied through a duct 154 from a suitable source of paint pressure. Also, paint is selectively applied to the side surfaces when needed by a nozzle 155 supplied through ducts 156 communicating with a source of paint pressure. The nozzle 155 is supported on a bracket 157 carried by arms 158 mounted in the upper portion of the chamber 145. Paint fumes are exhausted to a suitable collector by a fan 159 mounted in the entrance 160 of a duct 161 communicating through the top wall 157 with the chamber 145.

After the cans are painted and moved through the discharge opening 162 in the Wall 146 on the track section 150 they pass through an evaporating chamber 163 defined by housing walls that surround a portion of the track 150. Suitable exhaust fans 164 draw air through the chamber 163 to evaporate the solvents or reducing agents used in the paint applied to the cans. The cans then move on the track to a baking chamber 165 where it is preferred the track portion 166 therein be substantially horizontal with the cans moved therealong in spaced relation by a conveyor 167 consisting of an endless member 168 operating over suitable driving wheels 169 and having fingers 170 spaced thereon to engage the cans to move the cans along the track section 166. The drying chamber has walls defining same and also has a plurality of heat lamps 172 for directing heat rays against the cans as they are moved therethrough. Also, a blower 173 is arranged to blow air into the chamber to provide further air drying as well as the heat for the baking of the paint on the can.

As the cans are moved through the baking chamber 165 they then move along an inclined track portion 174 through a conventional labeling machine 175 wherein labels are applied to the respective cans. The cans then further move down a track section 176 where the cans are turned by a suitable turner 177 to an upright position where they move into a conventional casing mechanism 178 in which the cans are placed in suitable cartons 179. The carton or cases move down a trackway 180 to a conventional case sealing mechanism 181 where the cases are sealed and then moved along a conveyor 182 to a platform 183 from which they are removed for storage or shipping.

Due to the variation in can sizes it is desirable that the ejector have an adjustable head on the extension that moves the next can over the stop to the rollers. This adjustable head is illustrated in FIG. 12 wherein the arm 42 has a threaded shank 184 threaded therein and the head member 185 carried thereon has an extension 186 on which is mounted spaced arcuate rods 187 for engaging the can. With this arrangement the position of the rods 187 relative to the can to be moved over the stop 28 is adjusted whereby they Will not interfere with movement of the cans along the track but will have suitable engagement with the cans to move same over the stop when the ejector is operated to eject a can from between the rollers.

In operating a system for cleaning cans as described, if the cans only have soiled labels and otherwise are in good condition the cans are placed in the sorter 3 which arranges same and starts them down the path 4 along the track section to the label cleaner station. Detergent or cleaning liquid is applied to the label and the label wiped and then the ejector 39 moves the can on to the next section, however, since the label is in good condition the only action in the label removing station 28 is for the ejector to operate in its sequence to move the can on to the next station which is the can cleaning station. In this station, if the metal surfaces of the can is in good condition there is no treatment applied. If the can ends show rust or other soil, then the nozzles 115 and 116 are operated to apply a high pressure stream of glass beads against the end surfaces to clean same, the supply of beads and air to the nozzle 114 being cut off. The ejector 39 is operated in sequence whereby the can moves from the can cleaning station to the painting station and if no treatment was applied in the can cleaning station, the can merely passes through and on down the tracks to the caser mechanism 178, the drying section 163, and baking section and labeling machine all being inactive. If in the can cleaning station 50 the ends of the cans were blasted then in the paint station, paint is sprayed only through the nozzles 153 to direct the paint onto the ends of the cans, thereafter the cans move along their paths through the dryer which is in action and on through the baking section to bake the paint on the ends of the cans. These cans would pass through the labeling machine with no action thereby to the caser where they would be cased and the case sealed for shipment or storage.

If the can label is not usable then as the cans move through the stations it moves through the label cleaning station but in that station the cleaner would be inactive, only the ejector 39 would operate to move the can along its path. In the label removing station 28 the glass beads are directed onto the can surfaces by the nozzle 57 and the nozzle reciprocated whereby the blast removes the label, the labels being collected by the screen 51' while the beads pass through same and are returned to the bead collecting system by the duct 61. These cans are then moved on to the cleaning section wherein the blast of beads is directed to the side surfaces as well as the end surfaces, the used beads being collected and returned to the duct 67. The clean cans are ejected and moved by the conveyer to the discharge opening where the nozzle 142 blows the dust from the cans. The cans then move to the painting station 113 where paint is applied through the nozzles 153 and 155 to paint all of the surfaces of the can. The cans then move through the drying section 163 and baking section .166 and then the dried cans pass to the labeling machine 175 where new labels would be applied thereto. The cans from the labeling machine pass through the casing machine and the cases of cans then are sealed and discharged onto the platform 183.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown a connection from the ejector rod 39 to the blast nozzle mounting 184 whereby on each movement of the ejector to eject the can from between the rollers onto the discharge track, the nozzle will be swung out of the way of the can. This permits the nozzle 185 to be positioned close to the can surface. In the structure illustrated the nozzle 185 is carried by an arm .186 pivotally mounted as at 187 on the carriage 188 moved by the rod 60. The ejector has an extension 189 terminating in an upwardly inclined portion 190 with a transverse portion 191 mounting two horizontal arms 192 that carry a rod 193. Sleeved on the rod is one end 194 of a link 195 which is connected to an arm 196 that is secured to the nozzle mounting arms. In this way, as the ejector moves upwardly, rod 193 is moved up and through the link 195 and arm 196, the nozzle 185 is swung out of the way of the can. This same arrangement would be mounted on each of theejectors in order to adapt the mechanism for handling extra large cans.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods comprising,

(a) a plurarlity of treating chambers,

(b) means for moving cans of goods to and from said treating chambers,

(c) a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in certain of said chambers in side by side relation for jointly supporting a can and rotating same on its own axis,

((1) means operatively connected to said pair of rollers for rotating same,

(e) ejector means having a portion engageable with the can supported on said pair of rollers and operated to discharge the can from the rollers,

(f) and means in said chamber for treating the cans while being rotated on said pair of rollers.

2. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods as set forth in claim 1 including,

(a) stop means adjacent said pair of rollers for stopping cans moving toward said pair of rollers,

(b) means in response to operation of said ejector means for moving a can past the stop means to supporting relation by said pair of rollers.

3. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods as set forth in claim :1 wherein the plurality of treating chambers include a label cleaning chamber, a label removing chamber, a can cleaning chamber, and a can painting chamber, with a pair of said rollers being rotatable in each of said chambers and the ejection means associated therewith being an extensible member mounted under the rollers and movable upwardly under a can to roll same therefrom.

4. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods as set forth in claim 3 wherein the treating means in the label cleaner includes an extensible means mounting a wiper for moving same into engagement with the label of a can as the can is rotated by the rollers and a cleaning liquid discharge at said wiper for applying a cleaning liquid to the can as it is wiped.

5. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods as set forth in claim 3 wherein the treating means in the label removing chamber includes,

(a) a nozzle adapted to discharge an abrasive blast onto the sides of the can as the can is rotated by the rollers,

(b) means mounting said nozzle above the can on the rollers for movement longitudinally of the axis of the can,

(0) means moving said nozzle support to reciprocate same,

(d) means adjusting the stroke of said moving means wherein the nozzle is moved through such a stroke that the abrasive is only discharged within the length of the can.

6. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods as set forth in claim 2 wherein the plurality of treating chambers include a label cleaning chamber, a label removing chamber, a can cleaning chamber, and a can painting chamber, with a pair of said rollers being rotatable in each of said chambers and the ejection means associated therewith being an extensible member mounted under the rollers and movable upwardly under a can to roll same therefrom, and the means operated in response to the ejector being an extension thereon to engage under the next can to lift same over the stop means.

7. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods as set forth in claim 3 wherein the can treating means in the can cleaning station includes.

(a) nozzles at each end of a can supported on the pair of rollers,

(b) means mounting said nozzles for swinging movement through an arc whereby the abrasive blast is directed onto only the ends of the cans,

(c) reciprocating means operatively connected with the nozzle mountings to swing same through a selected are,

(d) and means adjusting the stroke of said reciprocating means wherein the nozzle is moved through such a stroke that the abrasive is only dischrged onto the ends of the can.

8. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods as set forth in claim 7 wherein the can treating means in the can cleaning station includes,

(a) a nozzle adapted to discharge an abrasive blast onto the sides of the can as the can is rotated by the rollers,

(b) means mounting said nozzle above the can on the rollers for movement longitudinally of the axis of the can,

(c) means moving said nozzle mounting to reciprocate same,

(d) and means adjusting the stroke of said moving means wherein the nozzle is moved through such a stroke that the abrasive is only discharged Within the length of the can.

9. Apparatus for reconditioning cans of goods as set forth claim 3 wherein the means for moving the cans to and from the treating chambers are spaced tracks arranged in inclined relation whereby the cans will roll from one station to the next with said track having 7 each of said tracks comprising a longitudinally extending rib engaged by the sides of the can adjacent the ends thereof and upstanding side members to limit endwise movement of the cans.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,683,436 7/1954 Marantz 118-72 2,794,448 6/ 1957 Marantz 118-72 CARL D. QUARF-OR'IH, Primary Examiner B. H. HUNT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

